Help Mobile's homeless at Cardboard City 2012 on Oct. 27

View full sizeFrom left, Tanner Bowen, 16, Justin Hartsock,18, Joshua Deck, 15, and Chasity Grzonka,17, with Port City Church of Christ Youth Group carry their "triforce" cardboard home as they participate in Cardboard City 2011 at the corner of Ann and Dauphin streets. (Press-Register file)

MOBILE, Alabama -- Several hundred folks will spend the night in boxes to raise awareness of the problems faced by the homeless -- and money to fund programs to help them.

Cardboard City Mobile 2012 will be Saturday, Oct. 27, from 4 p.m. until 7 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29. The “city” will be set up on the soccer field at Alabama School of Mathematics and Science at the corner of Dauphin and Ann streets in midtown Mobile.

Proceeds from the event will benefit two agencies: Family Promise of Coastal Alabama, which provides temporary shelter and support services to homeless families with children, and Sybil H. Smith Family Village, a transitional housing facility for homeless women and their children.

The event is open to people of all ages, and groups are encouraged to decorate a cardboard box, bring it to the site and set up by 4 p.m. on Saturday. There’ll be entertainment at 7 p.m. and anyone is welcome to attend without spending the night, but they must leave by lights-out at 10 p.m.

A light meal will be served, and at 9 p.m., a memorial service for homeless persons will be held. Following a continental breakfast at 6 a.m. Sunday, Cardboard City “residents” will help clean up the area and depart by 8 a.m.